DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next regular City Council meeting.

City of Bigfork

Regular Meeting March 11, 2008

Members Present: Mayor Amy Tendrup, Richard Salmi, Mike Stevens and Linda Koppelmann

Absent: Jean Lexvold

Also Present: Mike Larson - Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., Roger Logdahl, Warren & Caroline Welch, Robin Custer, Jim Manske, Al LaTrace, Lonnie Kacon, Gene Collins, Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld and Police Chief Jon Babcock

Mayor Tendrup called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Public Forum: Tendrup asked anyone wishing to address the Council to do so at this time. Salmi reported that Lemcke’s, who live just within City limits, do not feel that they should have to pay the monthly street light fee. He also reported that he wanted the Council to reconsider asking the school to reimburse the City for water revenue lost because of their meter.

Gene Ward, president of the local EAA Chapter, addressed the Council about the group’s April 27, 2008 celebration at the Marcell Family Center. The Chapter is very interested in promoting the Bigfork Airport. Their celebration will be a banquet with a speaker and raffle drawing. The group will also be holding a fly-in in conjunction with the annual City celebration and they would like to do a fly-by either before or after the parade. Ward added that they are putting up a webpage and will be offering space for each business in the area to promote themselves. Salmi asked if the City could count on the group for help in maintaining the airport and Ward answered that they are already planning a work day for the Bigfork Airport.

Warren Welch asked if the City could shut off half of the street lights in order to save money. Tendrup responded that this has been discussed numerous times in the past and people were generally against it.

Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld reported that he recently attended the 2008 Minnesota Rural Water Association Conference. He submitted a sample of the City’s water to their contest and it placed second in the State of Minnesota for quality and taste.

Roger Logdahl recommended that the City implement a time clock use policy. Tendrup stated that a time clock had recently been ordered. Logdahl reported that the had contacted a company about the possibility of rehabilitating an existing well and it would cost about $2,000 for this company to put together a proposal. Logdahl requested permission to speak on the agenda item regarding a complaint against a council member.

As there were no further public comments, Tendrup closed the forum.

Tendrup added the Personnel Committee vacant seat to the agenda. Almhjeld added a few items. Motion to approve the agenda by Koppelmann, seconded by Stevens, Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU).

Consent Agenda Salmi had questions on a number of claims which Almhjeld and Police Chief Jon Babcock answered.

#1- approval of the minutes of the January 29, 2008 special and February 12, 2008 public hearing and regular City Council meetings

#2- approval of the Police Report for February 2008

#3- approval of the City Clerk’s Office Report for February 2008

#4- approval of the Financial Report for February 2008

#5- approval of the Public Works Department report for February 2008

#6- approval of the Claims Paid in the amount of $14,998.30 including the February 15th and 29th payrolls and approval of the Claims for Payment in the amount of $17,299.68

Motion by Koppelmann to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Stevens, MCU.

Copies of documentation relating to any consent agenda item are available at the City Clerk’s office.

Commissioners' Reports: Almhjeld was asked to discuss his items at this time. He reported that he talked with Macguire Iron about getting the water tower cleaned for a cost of $1,350. This will be a basic cleaning and disinfection. In-depth work will be done during the water system project in 2009. Motion by Tendrup to have the tower cleaned, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Almhjeld reported that the City Hall roof is leaking. Money was budgeted to replace the fuel oil tank in 2008, however Salmi had talked with Almhjeld about putting in natural gas when it becomes available. Almhjeld asked permission to use the money budgeted for the fuel oil tank to fix the roof instead. The Council was in agreement that the roof needed to be fixed.

Almhjeld has learned that many cities have been able to obtain DUI/DWI confiscated vehicles. Babcock reported that he doesn’t often confiscate vehicles. Almhjeld asked if we could buy such a vehicle from another city or county. Babcock stated that there are rules that such vehicles have to be sold at auction and not directly to another party. Almhjeld reported that Casual Maintenance Laborer Dave Schminkey had resigned and he had hired Chris Manske for the position. Almhjeld’s final item was the need to purchase some water testing equipment to test for manganese. Motion to purchase the equipment by Tendrup, seconded by Stevens, MCU.

Airport Commissioner Salmi reported on a few items that needed attention at the airport. The Public Works Department will take care of the issues.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Engineer's Updates: Mike Larson of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) was present to address the Council. He introduced himself as a past employee of Iron Range Resources who is now employed by SEH to find funding for projects. Jeff Ledin, also of SEH, provided the Council with copies of the draft Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for the 2009 water system project. Larson reported that while Ledin would be working with the Council on determining what the project would entail, he and Dick Grabko would be working with them on funding for the project. He asked that the Council submit any comments or questions to him and he would forward them to the appropriate person.

Salmi asked Logdahl to comment and Logdahl stated that he had checked with Peterson Drilling about refurbishing well #2. Tendrup stated that the City had already had this option checked into by more than one party and the consensus was that it was not a good option as it would be both cheaper and less risky to drill a new well. Tendrup stated that the costs and risks of each option would have to be considered before a final decision on the project could be made.

Resolution 2008-05: Stevens reported that he and Cemetery Sexton Jerry Pula had attended the Itasca County Land Meeting to supply more information about the City’s request for land from the County for expansion of the cemetery. It was determined that five acres would be sufficient at this time for the City’s needs. Resolution 2008-05 requested the conveyance of that portion of the tax-forfeit parcel that had been agreed upon. Stevens reported that the rest of that parcel of land will remain tax-forfeit and the County is required to notify the City and give first option for purchase before selling any of it. Motion by Salmi, seconded by Koppelmann to pass Resolution 2008-05, MCU.

Ordinance #147 – Minnesota Power Franchise: The ordinance was tabled at the last meeting for input from City Attorney John Licke. Licke had provided a memo outlining the changes he would like to see. Tendrup stated that the ordinance should be redrafted and a copy sent to Minnesota Power for their comments before it was considered for approval.

Cedar Street Lots: The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council consider either lowering the purchase price or forgiving the assessments against the lots in order to help them sell. Salmi felt that if the assessments were forgiven on those lots, all assessments associated with the project would need to be forgiven. Tendrup felt that lowering the asking price would drop the property values of neighboring properties. The issue was tabled.

Mobile Home Park: This issue was tabled as Babcock needed to exit the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Personnel Committee Vacant Seat: Motion by Tendrup, seconded by Salmi to appoint Anne Collins to the position, MCU.

Donation Requests: Storlie informed the Council that no money was budgeted for donations and she asked permission to send letters to any entity requesting a donation informing them of this. Permission was granted.

Formal Complaint Against Councilmember: Babcock filed a complaint against Councilmember Salmi for a confrontation that took place after the February Council meeting. As Babcock had exited the meeting, he was not present to comment. The Council heard testimony from two witnesses to the confrontation who both felt that Salmi’s actions had not been inappropriate. Stevens reported that he was a witness only to the beginning of the conversation and he felt that this was an issue of conflicting personalities and a history between those involved rather than one isolated incident. He felt that all Councilmembers needed to take responsibility to discuss things at the appropriate times and places and use the proper procedures when issues arose. Tendrup agreed and asked that, in the future, all Councilmembers vacate the building immediately after a Council meeting as all issues should be addressed by the entire Council and there was no need for additional conversations after the meeting was closed. The Council’s response to Babcock’s complaint was that it had been reviewed and the Council had discussed measures to help avoid this type of confrontation in the future.

2008 Itasca County Plowing/Grading Contract: Almhjeld reported that the contract is the same as last year. Motion to accept the contract by Salmi, seconded by Koppelmann, MCU.

Ordinance #148 – Regulating Animals: The ordinance was tabled as input from Babcock was needed.

Ordinance #149 – Amending Fees & Charges Ordinance (animal impound fees): The ordinance was tabled as input from Babcock was needed.

2008 LMC Safety & Loss Control Workshop: Storlie and Almhjeld requested permission to attend this workshop for a cost of $20.00 per person plus mileage. Motion by Koppelmann to allow them to attend, seconded by Salmi, MCU.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Almhjeld reported that the Public Works Department safety program was coming along. They have cleaned the shop and invested in some necessary safety and storage equipment. They are obtaining Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all substances on site.

Mayor Tendrup adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

Angie Storlie

City Clerk/Treasurer